Randy Johnson Goes From Firing Fast Balls to Photographing Rock Stars

Randy Johnson has traded in his baseballs for a camera.

The future Hall-of-Famer, who spent 22 years as one of the most dominant pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball, is now realizing his long-time dream of photographing some of the biggest rock ‘n’ roll stars in the world.

The former New York Yankees player brought his camera to Chicago’s Grant Park last weekend for the Lollapalooza music festival, and was spotted in the crowd shooting bands like Iron Maiden, Dream Theater and Soundgarden, who he is close friends with.

“This is my first summer available to go to shows, since I spent the last 26 years playing baseball, so my time was limited,” Johnson told the music site Noisecreep. “I have four kids and there is usually a concert in Arizona I can go to. I’ve enjoyed music forever, and photography, so one plus one. I envy these photographers that shoot for the bands, taking great pictures, having total access and getting them published.”

Johnson himself makes a rather unusual photographer. Not only does he stand at nearly 7 feet tall (making him one of the tallest photographers around), but he’s also had some highly-publicized run-ins with photographers before. In 2005 he got into a scrape with a TV cameraman who happened to get a little too close to the star pitcher.

With his height, passion and close relationships with various rock stars, Johnson may very well have a new career as a music photographer. Let’s just hope you don’t get stuck behind him at your next concert.